Bang & Olufsen may be approaching a century in the hi-fi market (its 95th birthday was in 2020), but the famed Danish company shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to dazzle us with its cutting-edge designs and strict quality control year after year. It’s most known for producing high-end speakers, some of which cost as much as a compact vehicle.
However, because B&O has been known to prioritize style above substance on occasion, it’s critical to choose intelligently. We’ve compiled a list of the greatest B&O speakers we’ve tested, ranging from affordable, picnic-friendly portables to pairs of absolutely amazing, high-end floorstanding speakers, to help you avoid a dud.
Table of Contents
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Generation) Wireless Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Microphone
- POWERFUL SOUND: Enjoy Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound when you’re on the...
- WATERPROOF SPEAKER: Share your soundtrack on the go, with a durable and...
- LISTEN LONGER: Improved battery power so you can enjoy music and...
The B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) wireless speaker is the company’s second most cheap model, as well as the world’s first Alexa smart speaker that uses only Bluetooth.
It’s roughly the size of a huge floury bap and has a high-end sound quality about it. It’s a touch slimmer than its predecessor, with larger, better-labeled buttons that make it easier to use. It’s also IP67 water and dust resistant, which means it can withstand being submerged in water up to one metre deep for 30 minutes. What about the battery? A reasonable 18 hours of listening at regular volume, or up to 48 hours at a lower volume. To use Alexa, connect it via Bluetooth to your phone that is connected to the internet. This is a really simple process to set up.
It’s accomplished and smooth acoustically. It’s no small effort for B&O to capture its characteristic acoustic profile in such a compact physical factor. This is an excellent device for listening at home or on the go. This is the Best Bang & Olufsen Speakers in 2023.
Bang & Olufsen 2nd Generation Beoplay A9 Wireless Home Speaker
- Stream wirelessly via AirPlay, DLNA or Bluetooth; access built-in streaming...
- 480 watts of powerful sound and intuitive touch control
- Room adaptation technology optimizes sound and automatic software updates...
The look of the Beosound A9 is a statement piece if there ever was one, but the internals were just modified for its fourth generation, and now there’s Google Assistant connection. The massive bluetooth speakers, which houses seven separate drivers, is covered in Kvadrat fabric (the same as the Harman Citation range) and comes in a variety of colors.
The Beoplay A9 offers Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast support for multi-room music streaming, in addition to Google Assistant for voice control. This is a audio products that is as much a statement ornament as it is a music system, weighing just over 32 pounds, measuring 27 inches across and 35 inches tall when standing on its three-legged platform. The A9 is offered in black, white, “smoked oak,” and with bronze details in fabric, wood, and aluminum.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Microphone
- Truly portable Bluetooth speaker for music and calls
- More sound. More bass. Peak power of 2X140 W
- Connect two BeoplayA1s for a wireless stereo experience
If the B&O BeoPlay A1 was mentioned in a game of Pictionary, competitors would quickly respond with words like “lilo pump” and “smoke detector.” ‘Crumpet with a jam trail’ might have been a good bet, too, with its perforated, circular dome-like casing and dangling B&O signature leather strap. If you’re wondering if this pricing point has finally put B&O’s reputation for high-quality builds and designs to the test, be assured that it hasn’t.
There’s also a built-in microphone for taking calls, and B&O claims that the speaker’s bottom edge’s ringed design helps with vocal dispersion. It should easily outlast your smartphone with a 2.5-hour charge that provides above-average 24-hours of audio playback at normal volume levels.
The A1 stereo sound stands out in the buffet of excellence that is the portable Bluetooth speaker market, with good (and practical) appearance, generous battery life, and a clear, full-bodied sound, although needing to better combine its hefty, robust tone with more sparkle and attack. It may lower B&O’s entry-level price, but it does not diminish the company’s sturdy reputation.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound 1 Wireless Multiroom Speaker
- this item does not include voice assistant
- build your sound system - effortlessly connect bang & olufsen multi-room...
- 360-degree sound - beosound 1 delivers a sonic sound performance applying...
B&O’s designers have come up with yet another remarkable, space-age design, this time reimagining the speaker as a miniature sculpture. The volume dial with touch-sensitive controls is located at the tip of the cone, which looks to be floating.
The odd form has a lot of features and provides great 360-degree sound dispersion. The latest version of the Beosound 1 has Google Assistant voice smarts and enables hi-res streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20 Powerful Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- 8 hours of play: A full working day of music, calls or podcasts on a single...
- Stay fully charged with Qi-wireless charging: Power compatible phones and...
- Music to travel with: Robust, light and with a soft and strong leather...
The anti-party party speaker is the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20. It’s not waterproof or equipped with LEDs, and it’s constructed of excellent leather with a built-in handle. But don’t be fooled by the sleek look and high-end materials: this thing can get loud and has a surprising amount of bass depth for its size. It’s a full-bodied, rich speaker with plenty of high-frequency detail. Is it too expensive? Yes, if you don’t care about the design or materials. However, if such features are important to you, the Beolit 20 is a sophisticated combination of performance and style.
Dual 35-watt class-D amps power a 5.5-inch woofer, three 1.5-inch full-range drivers, and two 4-inch passive bass radiators hidden below the grille, delivering a frequency range of 37Hz to 27kHz. The speaker is Bluetooth 4.2 compatible and supports the AAC and SBC codecs, but not AptX. The speaker’s top panel is recessed and flat, similar to a tray’s interior. Power, Bluetooth, play/pause, and volume plus/minus controls are located on the left side of the panel. The coolest feature, though, is hidden: The charging surface in the centre is Qi-certified, so you can charge your phone while listening to music. Of course, if the Beolit 20 isn’t connected to power, you’ll be charging your phone with its internal battery.
The Beolit 20, like most Bang & Olufsen products, is pricey—some may even say overpriced. The other side of the argument is that, in addition to powerful, capable drivers, you’re paying for a top-notch visual design and sumptuous materials. Finally, the most vital factor is audio quality, which the Beolit 20 delivers. It’s also simple to use, and the Qi-charging panel on top is a pleasant bonus.